During an interview with TMZ, Akon said that R. Kelly should be given a chance to redeem himself by making things right by the woman and men he abused.
In the interview, he discussed Kelly’s recent trial in which he was found guilty of 9 counts of racketeering and sex trafficking. He stated, “This is how I see it,” he said. “I believe that God makes no mistakes. People can debate back and forth all day, but if it’s happening to him, it’s supposed to happen to him for whatever reasons — that’s God’s reasons on why it’s going down.”
Kelly needs to “reevaluate” his entire life, he said, but there is a way for him to rehabilitate himself if he recognizes his wrongdoing.
“People aren’t here to hate each other for a reason, like, everyone is going to make a mistake, and everyone has the right to redeem themselves from those mistakes — even him,” added. “He has the right to try to make right by those he hurt. And then, the people that he hurt also have the right to decide if they wanna forgive him.”
Kelly’s sentencing date is set for May 4th. The singer faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison. Deveraux Cannick, his attorney, said the government chose particular evidence to fit its narrative and that his client was “disappointed” with the trial’s outcome. He also added that he is “convinced” Kelly will appeal the verdict.
